ATLANTA -- Arby's Restaurant Group Inc. (ARG), which operates or franchises nearly 3,400 Arby's restaurants worldwide, announced the opening of a new restaurant design and format in White House, Tenn., that signifies a multi-year commitment to remodeling and building new restaurants, as well as moving further into the convenience store and other nontraditional markets.
The new design, known as Inspire, delivers fast-casual aesthetics while employing quick-service restaurant (QSR) economics. Arby's began remodeling restaurants using the new design, which features a more contemporary look and improved customer experience, several months ago and is planning to significantly ramp up both company and franchised development and remodel activity in 2015 and beyond.
Newly remodeled restaurants thus far have seen average sales increases exceeding 15%, the company said.
In addition to the improved aesthetics and enhanced operational efficiencies of the new design, the brand is exploring new restaurant formats, which will allow it to enter new markets and geographies. Examples include the end-cap with a drive-thru that opened this week, streamlined new stand-alone building formats that accommodate smaller footprints, as well as in-line restaurants well suited to shopping center and convenience store locations; all with the same menu found at a typical standalone Arby's restaurant.
"Arby's continues to experience a wave of momentum that has grown throughout the year with a renewed commitment to innovative products, our service culture and the introduction of a new marketing campaign," said Paul Brown, CEO of ARG. "We are excited by what our expanded range of formats means for the Brand as it gives us the flexibility to enter more urban environments and reach new guests."
"We will be increasingly focused on growth and development next year with the expectation to build or remodel more than 200 restaurants as a system. We could not be more pleased with the Inspire design and our 'menu of venues,' as they represent the new direction for the brand."
The first end cap with a drive-thru in the Inspire design opened to an overwhelmingly positive response from customers. The restaurant features a fresh new color palette, communal tables, contemporized lighting and new finishes including the incorporation of wood and subway tiling that will allow Arby's guests to fully experience the revised and reinvigorated Brand look and feel. Arby's will open two additional new restaurant formats within the next few months.
"Our plan is to kick-start growth through the addition of these new restaurant formats," said George Condos, ARG president and COO. "In addition to providing a better guest experience, the new restaurant formats will incorporate innovative operational elements to improve efficiencies with a revamped production line."
Atlanta-based Arby's is a leading QSR company operating and franchising nearly 3,400 restaurants worldwide, featuring Classic Roast Beef and French Dip to the deli-style Market Fresh line of sandwiches and salads.
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